Toronto Argonauts fans won't miss Rob Ford if he skips East Division final after not being invited

TORONTO — A highly scientific survey of 12 random fans milling around Rogers Centre an hour before kickoff suggests that, after another week of blockbuster revelations, football fans agree the Toronto Argonauts made the right decision when they refused to officially invite Toronto Mayor Rob Ford to the East Division final.

Only four of the 12 fans — some in Argos jerseys, others in Hamilton Tiger-Cats gear — believed a courtesy ticket should have been extended to Ford. At least one report Sunday suggested Ford would be in the crowd.

On Thursday, after Ford uttered a profanity while wearing an Argos jersey, the team issued a release and made it known the mayor was welcome to attend the game — but only if he bought a ticket.

“The Toronto Argonauts organization is not in a position to comment on the manner of dress of public officials,” the release said. “The situation with respect to the mayor and his leadership is unseemly at best.”

Ford has attended a number of games. He sat near the field during a pre-season game at Varsity Stadium, on the University of Toronto’s downtown campus.

“These latest remarks, while wearing our team’s jersey, are particularly disappointing given our organization’s work in the community to help youth deal with issues of bullying prevention,” the release said on Thursday. “We hope for the benefit of the wonderful citizens of Toronto and this great city that this situation is resolved expeditiously.”

“We’re just so disgraced by it all,” said Donna Keuhl, a Ticats fan. “It doesn’t matter where you’re from.”